Date Fest attracts students to sexual assault awareness

It was like a little carnival that helps to prevent date rape.

Sexual Assault Services set up a series of table games in the lobby of Litchfield Towers last night for an event called Date Fest ’09. The event, part of Dating Violence Awareness Week, was the culmination of a series of events to help promote dating violence awareness and prevention.

Games included Sexual Assault Jeopardy, Sex Tic-Tac-Toe and a Wheel of Fortune game. Students received prizes for answering questions on the truth about sexual assault and dating violence.

People participating learned that someone is more likely to receive help if they yell “fire” rather than “rape,” and that a batterer — someone who physically assaults his or her partner — is more likely to be someone a person knows and loves than a stranger.

Mary Ruiz, coordinator for Sexual Assault Services, helped to manage the event.

“It’s a fun way for students to learn how to have healthy relationships,” she said.

According to the National Center for Victims of Crime website, “Dating violence is controlling, abusive and aggressive behavior in a romantic relationship.”

Thirty-two percent of students nationwide reported dating violence by a previous partner, and 21 percent reported violence with a current partner, according to the center’s website.

Victims of dating violence or sexual assault can go to Sexual Assault Services for confidential counseling. The number for Sexual Assault Services is 412-648-7930.

Sexual Assault Services does not report an event to the police directly. Victims can choose to report it if they want to, Ruiz said.

“We make certain that they know all of their options,” she added.

However, she said that many victims choose not to report their assault out of fear of not being believed, fear of being forced to press charges or fear of the stigma associated with being a victim.

Rachel Hess, a sophomore, said she heard about the event through an e-mail from the Campus Women’s Organization and thought that it was very important for people to raise awareness of dating violence on campus.

“It’s a more prevalent problem than people know, that’s one of the reasons events like this are important,” Hess said.

Bridget Ferris, a junior majoring in social work, volunteered through Sexual Assault Services to help with the event. Ferris said that any violation of personal space becomes a mental health issue and anyone who has been assaulted should seek counseling.

Ferris said one of her friends was sexually assaulted by her grandfather. Ferris said that her friend’s ordeal was traumatizing and that such psychological wounds take a long time to heal.

“It’s mentally debilitating. It’s a complete violation of every human right,” she said.

“We’re raising awareness just by being in Towers Lobby. [The festival’s] relevant to everyone,” she said.

This was the second time the University held a Date Fest. The event last year attracted more than 250 students, and after the turnout, Sexual Assault Services decided to make it an annual event.

Sexual Assault Services also held a screening of the movie “Fear” and set up a display on the Union lawn as part of Dating Violence Awareness Week. Sexual Assault Services plans to sponsor another awareness week during the spring semester.